In the rich and diverse world of plants, a special place is occupied by species, the most spectacular part of which is flowers. Small and large, rare and numerous, irregular and symmetrical-all these signs are secondary when it comes to double flowers, inflorescences.
Terry originality never goes unnoticed. It is impossible to get used to such flowers and perceive them as something ordinary.
In the scientific world, Terry is closely examined in the section of flower teratology as … ugliness, a kind of deviation from the norm. The basis of Terry are different mutational (internal) and modification (external) factors, ranging from chemical mutagens, viruses to changes in culture conditions. Which for a long time and very successfully used by breeders, creating Terry varieties by hybridization (and not only).
Thanks to the tireless efforts of breeders, we freeze with delight, tirelessly admiring the beauty of Terry, semi-double Paeonia, annual Callistephus, Dahlia, Tanacetum parthenium, syn. Pyrethrum parthenium and other flowers.
The enumeration can be continued indefinitely, because almost every flower culture created Terry varieties. There are many of them in the representatives of the Asteraceae family, the inflorescence of which is perceived by many as a single flower. Often their Terry baskets are the result of turning the median bisexual flowers into ligules (they usually do not produce seeds) or the marginal ligules into tubular ones.
I not accidentally in as an example led family Asteraceae: on them will conveniently to consider some important nuances Terry.
Classification of double flowers, inflorescences
Common simply does not exist, as cultures are very different. But often in the form of inflorescences distinguish classes such as (for example, chrysanthemums):
- semi-double;
- spherical;
- hemispherical;
- anemone;
- pompon-shaped;
- xiphoid;
- needle;
- arachnids.
Depending on the origin, the increase in the number of petals may be due to:
- turning into petals stamens;
- the transformation of pistils into petals;
- increasing the number of circles in the simple perianth;
- the splitting of the petals;
- by splitting the stamens.
Advantages of Terry flowers, inflorescences
- Terry flowers are very beautiful, unusual, exotic;
- a variety of forms of double inflorescences give flowers, different in length, shape, density and so on;
These features have become one of the ways of breeding many flower crops.
As a result of the peculiar arrangement of petals in Terry rose flowers, interesting quadratic centers are obtained.
Plants with double flowers are always accents of flower beds, garden compositions, since in most cases it is the flowers that give them a characteristic expressiveness, and flowering becomes the brightest period in his life.
Cons of Terry flowers, inflorescences
They are a little more, but beauty levels these shortcomings.
- Terry flowers have a weak aroma, because they have fewer nectaries, although this is not an axiom, because many romantic roses with Terry flowers delight with an amazing aroma;
- in some varieties, Terry flowers are sterile, so do not always tie the seeds;
- plants with double flowers, inflorescences require more careful care (for example, regular abundant watering).
Today I tried to select the most interesting, the most spectacular plants with double flowers, distributing them by flowering periods.
Many of these flowers are familiar to summer residents, flaunt in their flower beds not the first year. On the site we have repeatedly discussed the nuances of their cultivation, so we will not repeat, but admire the beauty of lush flowers, inflorescences.
Spring kaleidoscope
With the beginning of the new summer season, they delight us with their beauty. Their fashion show opens familiar to many Calendula officinalis presented to us in bright, surprisingly lush clothes, as ballerinas.
Breeders have worked hard on ordinary calendula, creating Terry series, groups, varieties that look particularly advantageous in a mixture of colors.
From dwarf compact varieties, you can create an annual flower border.
Where calendula winters without shelter in the open ground, it is planted in groups and create short-lived perennial borders, especially spectacular in the first 2-3 years.
In addition to calendula, spring pleasing to the eye Terry varieties:
- Caltha palustris;
- Polygonatum odoratum, syn. P. officinale;
- Filipendula ulmaria, F. vulgaris, syn. F. hexapetala;
- Bellis perennis;
- Narcissus;
- Primula;
- Cardamine pratensis;
- Tulipa and so on.
Since the beginning of June, they pass the baton of flowering to summer flowers.
Summer mosaic
The hit of this season was Begonia x semperflorens with double flowers.
It is good in the foreground of mixborders, and in various containers, planters.
Look great in one composition varieties of different colors. When growing, remember that in a limited amount of pot, they are even more demanding to watering!
Summer blooming plants with double flowers much more than those that bloom in the spring. I will list only some luxurious species and varieties:
- Callistephus chinense is the mass of varieties;
- Gaillardia pulchella-varieties of the Plume Series;
- Dahlia is the mass of varieties;
- Datura metel – ‘Fastuosa’;
- Ipomoea purpurea – ‘Sunrise Serenade’;
- Coreopsis grandiflora;
- Campanula trachelium;
- Nymphaea hybridum is the mass of varieties;
The origin of its double flowers is associated with the transformation of stamens into petals.
- Hemerocallis hybrida;
- Terry daylilies, varieties: ‘Kwanso’, ‘Double Dream’ and dreubt are still perceived as floral curiosities;
- Leucanthemum maximum;
- Pelargonium zonale is the mass of varieties;
- Petunia garden or hybrid-mass varieties;
They are good in mix compositions.
- Paeonia is the mass of varieties;
It is in the Terry varieties of peony that the origin of the petals is not associated with the stamens, but with the sepals.
Autumn waltz
Now came the finest hour of autumn flowering plants with double flowers: familiar to many summer residents since childhood Rudbekia laciniata ‘Golden ball’, double Zinnia, Tagetes, Helenium autumnale and others. Despite the cold nights and cloudy days, they bloom until the arrival of autumn frosts. But the main Terry beauties of autumn – chrysanthemums!
Tell us what plants with double flowers decorate your cottage?